The expected lineup for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 is now clear. Eight grandmasters are expected to compete in Cyprus, with Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Matthias Blübaum, Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Andrey Esipenko confirmed through official qualification paths.

The qualification paths for the expected participants are:

Fabiano Caruana (2795) - winner of the 2024 FIDE Circuit

Anish Giri (2760) - winner of the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025

Matthias Bluebaum (2678) - silver medalist of the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025

Javokhir Sindarov (2726) - winner of the FIDE World Cup 2025

Wei Yi (2754) - silver medalist of the FIDE World Cup 2025

Andrey Esipenko (2695) - bronze medalist of the FIDE World Cup 2025

Rameshbabu Praggnanandha (2760) - leader and probable winner of the 2025 FIDE Circuit

Hikaru Nakamura (2810) - world number one by rating (following Magnus Carlsen’s withdrawal from the Candidates Tournament)

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship. The event is scheduled from March 28 to April 16, 2026, at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus.

Credit: FIDE